Thursday 25 August 2016

Cruise 2016 # 7

Tuesday 9th August to Friday 26th August

Thursday 11th August

Yesterday we cruised the five miles to Wheaton Aston and, because we couldn’t see as far as beyond the pub bridge, we were obliged to moor up just after the previous bridge. This line of moorings is overshadowed by trees, on the towpath side, and by houses on the other side, thus making it rather dim. However, we later spotted another space, just a few yards further along, and we moved along there, simply because a little more light shines through.

The weather still hasn’t improved much, even though the forecaster had predicted elevated temperatures, into the high 20s and even 30 degrees plus. This morning, for example, is quite windy and overcast and I still had to put the heating on when I got up.

Today we’ll stay here, walk to the shops for the paper and then enjoy our usual cup of coffee. Later today I’ll have another go at Teresa’s cartoon portrait.

Friday 12th August

After spending time with the cartoon portrait, I suddenly realised that I had been doing something wrong. So, rather than carry on and make a complete hash of it, I’ve decided to start again from scratch.

Yesterday was an OK day as far as the weather goes. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for a certain fellow boater. There seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the period of time allowed for the running of engines. In order to allow boaters ample time to charge batteries, the powers that be have set a limit of between 8 am and 8 pm, for this task.

We bend over backwards to ensure that we don’t antagonise nearby boaters, and don’t start up until well after 8 am; unless we’re moving on; and always run the engine no later than 7 pm. OK so far?

Now, the boater behind us seems to be resident of the house opposite, where a new pontoon was being built. They finished about 7.30 pm and he decided to take the opportunity to move his boat across. What we didn’t expect, was for him to then leave his engine running until 10 pm, which is when we like to retire to bed. It took a heck of a lot of hollering to grab his attention, and it didn’t help that his house is on a hill. Eventually he came down and, after much mumbling and cussing, turned the engine off. He wasn’t content with that though. Oh no. He then claimed that engine running is allowed until 10 pm.

Some people!!

Anyway, this morning we left early and pulled in to the garage for diesel. Yes, garage. The local garage owner has had red diesel available to boaters for some time now. He has a hose that reaches down to a jetty below the garage and we boaters simply pull alongside and top up. Simple. What’s more, he’s the cheapest on the cut at the current price of £0.519p per litre. Eat your hearts out folks.

After leaving the garage we headed along a-ways to the water-point, topped up with water, disposed of rubbish and then made our way to Brewood, where we did a bit of shopping at the excellent butcher’s and baker’s. After that, and only because the moorings at Brewood are so dim and dismal, we made our way to bridge 8, about 2 miles further on.

Tomorrow we will go down just one lock at Autherley Junction, turn left onto the Staffs and Worc canal, pass through the narrow cut and stop at Cross Green, where we’ll take a walk into Coven for the paper.

Monday 15th August

It’s the middle of August; supposedly summer; and yet it’s still pretty chilly in the morning and I’m still turning the heater on before I get up. Still, at least it’s dry and there’s no sign of clouds in the sky.

Yesterday went the same way as most Sundays. We strolled down to the village of Coven for the paper, returned to the boat for a coffee and read the paper and did our puzzles. Well, actually, we attempted to do our puzzles.

At lunchtime, of course, we poodles on down to the local pub and sat outside with our drinks, our snacks and our pooch, Alex. He likes his beer and snacks too, although I do have to restrict his beer consumption to the occasional lick of foam off my finger.

Today we’ll be off to Gailey but, instead of mooring up at Gailey itself, we’ll stop short and moor up in the open. Gailey moorings are rather dark and dismal, with trees on both sides of the canal and, since we won’t have a paper to buy; cos we will buy one here before we leave; we prefer to be where it’s more open. On Tuesday morning, we’ll continue into Gailey, top up with water and dispose of rubbish. After which we’ll make our way to Penkridge, where it will be Market Day and where I’ll be looking for a frame for Teresa’s Cartoon Portrait.

The Cartoon Portrait for Teresa, will be in pastels, something I’ve not done before. As a consequence of it being my first pastel, I’ve already made a few cock-ups and have had to start again. This was supposed to be a birthday present, but that day is long gone.

Wednesday 17th August

Well, we made it to Penkridge without problems and, as luck would have it, we found a mooring spot above the final lock. This area is much more open than the stretch of moorings below that lock.

W first enjoyed a coffee and then walked into town for some shopping. A visit to the Butchers was a must. Today is market day, so we’ll be taking a wander around that this morning. Hopefully I’ll find that frame I want, otherwise I’ll have to wait until we hit a bigger town with a Wilkinson’s.

It looks like being another scorcher today, so we’ll make the most of it. I’ve been complaining long enough about the bad weather, so I’m certainly not going to moan about this fine stuff.

Thursday 18th August

Well, it was a really warm and sunny day, here at Penkridge. Sadly, I didn’t find a frame for the Cartoon Portrait, so I guess I’ll have to wait until we visit Stafford again.

Today we’ll be off to Acton Trussell, which is a mooring area way outside the village and really peaceful.

Friday 19th August

Our trip to Acton Trussell involved four locks and 3½ miles, taking us almost two hours. But, that was OK, and we soon settled in for a coffee. The rest of the day was bright and sunny but, having been warned of rain to come, we weren’t too surprised when it came down this morning. We were hopeful that it would stop and we could move on but, as from midday today, it’s still persisting. So, for the rest of the day we’ll be staying put. Tomorrow, with luck and no rain, we’ll move along to Weeping Cross, where we’ll probably catch the bus into Stafford.

Unfortunately, we are not very fond of the pub at Weeping Cross, because the last time we tried it we were expected to line up, just as you would in a Post Office or Bank. We’ve given it a miss ever since. So, if we’re to get a drink on Sunday, we’ll have to get ourselves to Great Haywood. This assumes good weather. It’s not that we don’t cruise in the rain, because we sometimes do. But we do try to avoid heavy rain and strong winds, which make for a very unpleasant journey. We’ll just have to see.

Monday 22nd August

Apart from the persistent rain, the weekend went well. We didn’t bother with the bus to Stafford while we were at Weeping Cross. Instead, we walked down to the Trading Estate and called in at Hobby Craft, where I managed to purchase a frame for Teresa’s Cartoon Portrait.

Today we’re hoping to get to Weston. The skies seem to be brightening up, although we do still have fairly strong winds. But, as the wind will be at our backs, we’ll manage OK.

Wednesday 24th August

Yesterday was the warmest day that we’ve enjoyed so far this summer. In fact, it was bordering on the uncomfortable. Apart from shopping at Morrison’s, we didn’t do very much.

Today, at some time this morning, we’ll be meeting up with Alan and Chris. Stone is one of only a few places at which this is possible. No doubt we’ll enjoy a pub lunch and plenty of chat.

We’re on five day moorings here, so I don’t suppose we’ll leave here until Friday morning, stopping at Weston and then on to Great Haywood for the weekend. After that, well, it’s just a matter of making our minds up as to where we go from there.

Thursday 25th August

Yesterday was great. Alan and Chris arrived at about 11 am and walked with us to the boat, where we had coffee and a chat, as usual. We then took a walk into town and had lunch at Wetherspoons; me for the All Day Brunch which, naughty me, also included chips. After lunch, back to the boat for more coffee and more chat. At about half past three we sent them packing to the bus stop. Well, we just don’t have room for overnight couples to stay.

Today, after some rain, it’s now bright and sunny. Whether it will stay that way, remains to be seen. But, if so, then we might just make our way back towards Great Haywood. Whatever happens, we have decided to spend the rest of this summer cruising the Llangollen.

Friday 26th August

I have to say, I’m thoroughly disappointed with our summer so far. Apart from the odd one or two days of sunshine, it’s been mostly rain this year. A case in point would be yesterday when, after a bright start; which saw us walking up to the chandlery, and then the town; we had lots of rain later in the day. Last night, at around the time Wifey takes Alex out for his final ‘business venture’, it absolutely thundered down.

This morning we have a clear sky and it must have been pretty chilly outside, because our windows were steamed up. It is supposed to stay bright and warm today, which gives us an opportunity to turn around and head back to Weston. And then, tomorrow morning, with all being well weather-wise, we’ll head back to Great Haywood and round to Tixall Wide, where we’ll spend the weekend.

So, first thing this morning, after breakfast, of course, we’ll pop across to the town for the paper and more bread. There’s a really good baker’s there, from whom we bought a great, multi-seeded loaf that was all burnt and crusty on top. Hopefully we’ll get another one today.

Meanwhile, I’m gradually wading through Teresa’s Cartoon Portrait. However, as she wants it in colour, I’m undecided as to which medium to use. I have my pastels, of course, but I also have water-colour paint blocks and some rather good, waxy coloured pencils. According to the blurb on the tin, these can be mixed and built up, so I’m keen to give them a try. I will, of course, post a copy when I’m done. Which should be in my next post – I hope!

Now, with five pages done and a reasonably strong Internet signal here at Stone, I’ll attempt to post this blog.

Cheerio for now and have a great weekend.


Dave, Sheila and Alex.

Monday 8 August 2016

Cruise 2016 # 6


Tuesday 26th July to Tuesday 9th August

Tuesday 26th July

After yesterday’s rain, we have a somewhat clearer morning and, since we should be in Barbridge today, we may have a longish trip today. We’re trying to keep to a schedule, so that we arrive at Stone before the end of August, at which time we can meet up with Alan and Chris again. What we’ll do after that will be decided upon later.

Thursday 28th July

Yesterday was quite warm and, unbeknown to us until we arrived, it was also the Nantwich Show, but just for the one day.

We walked into town for shopping and managed to find an A3 Watercolour pad, which will come in useful for the Cartoon Portrait I’m doing for Teresa.

Today we’ll be taking the bus to Crewe, because that’s the nearest place where we can buy new boots and guitar strings. Yes, I’m going to have another go at learning that instrument. I had intended to star again a few days ago, but I discovered that one of the strings was broken, and I don’t have a spare set. So, off to Crewe we go.

Saturday 30th July

Our trip to Crewe was pretty uneventful, although we did manage to buy our boots, so that was a result. Unfortunately, the music shop was too far to walk from the bus station, so I didn’t get my guitar strings. No matter, there are a few music shops in Stafford, which we will visit from Gnosall next week.

Meanwhile, I’ve been busy producing a pastel cartoon portrait, for my daughter, Teresa. This has taken quite some time and I won’t be able to deliver it to her for her birthday next week. But she will get it eventually. I’m doing this one on A3 watercolour paper, so it’s taking somewhat longer than expected. It’s also the first one in pastels and I want to get it right.

We were planning on going on to Audlem today, from our current moorings, which are at Cool Pilate. Alas and alack, there’s a working boat festival, which means the chances of getting moored there are pretty remote, so we’ll be stuck here until Monday, at the earliest. Unless, of course, we move along about a mile, to the marina, which is still a longish walk into town.

This is not a big problem, as we do sometimes sit in one spot for a few days. We should make up the time though and still be able to meet up with Alan and Chris at Stone.

Sunday 31st July

Walked into Audlem yesterday morning, just for a bit of shopping and to see how many working boats were there. The whole place was chocker block with them, and some were double moored.

The walk into Audlem is about a mile, give or take. So, by the time we’d finished shopping and walked back to the boat, we probably covered two miles or so. Not a bad stretch of the legs at all.

Today, if the weather stays kind to us, we’ll walk in again and get the Mail on Sunday and sit outside one of the pubs for an hour and then walk back. And, if I haven’t lost another couple of pounds in weigh by Monday, I’ll want to know why.

Monday 1st August

We walked into Audlem again yesterday, but we left it until about 11.30, so as to be able to do some shopping and round it off with an hour outside a local pub. Luckily for us it stayed dry and sunny.

This morning we’ll do the same, but miss out the pub, and we’ll walk around a bit, to see if there are any spaces for us to moor at. Hopefully, all those working boats will be gone.

Tuesday 2nd August

Yesterday morning, we managed to grab a space just above lock 14, and there we stayed for the rest of the day.

This morning, after shopping for a few things, we moved up above lock 14, topped up with water and set of for the bottom of Adderley locks. This took us three hours, but we managed to complete the 2½ mile run without getting wet.

Tomorrow, depending on the weather, we’ll go up those six locks. We hope.

Wednesday 3rd August

At first sight, this morning looked to be a day full of rain. But, by the time we had had breakfast, and although it was quite windy, it was still dry and so we headed for the first of the five Adderley locks. We were in Market Drayton 10.15 and, after our obligatory cup of coffee, off we went for some shopping.

We’ve been to Market Drayton almost every year since we bought the boat, and yet, we still forget that Wednesday is market day here. As a result of this I enjoyed a pork pie for my lunch.

Now, while we were in Audlem, we got talking to a couple of locals, who were sitting on a bench watching the boats go by. On the off chance that they might know Market Drayton well; since they did mention the town; I asked if they knew of a decent pub here. Not only did they know a decent pub, they also knew the local brewery, that also has a pub attached. How come we hadn’t found this place on previous visits? Well, it’s because we never have reason to walk along the street where it is situated. So, next time we’re here, we’ll be paying it a visit. Wifey has made a note of it in our Nicholson’s Guide, se we won’t miss it.

We’ll probably stay here for tomorrow and move on to Norbury Junction on Friday morning.

Saturday 6th August

From Market Drayton, we passed through five locks and four miles, taking 2½ hours to reach Goldstone Wharf. From the top of the locks, right up to Goldstone, there’s a narrow cutting, which is very high on both sides and, should it pour with hard, consistent rain, can be liable to land slip, or trees falling across the canal. This happened to us a couple of years ago, when we came across a fallen tree and had to reverse all the way back to the wharf.

Yesterday evening, as I was charging my phone, I received a message from my pal Alan and, as I opened his message, another message popped up, telling me it was too hot to continue charging. I’m assuming the phone was overheating, though why this should happen is a mystery to me.

Anyway, I mentioned this to Wifey, who then told me that, while she was doing the washing, our remote Sterling panel popped up the same message. It would be just our luck, after a pretty clear run so far, to now have a problem with the Alternator to Battery Charger. WE really could do without that kind of problem.

This morning, before we trot off to Norbury Junction, I’ll be checking out our domestic batteries. I’ve checked them several times since we’ve been out, but haven’t even had to top them up as yet. But, as a result of those mysterious messages, we think it might be a good idea.

Other than that, the weather looks fair for the weekend, so we should be able to spend a pleasant hour at the pub on Sunday.

Sunday 7th August

It took us three hours to cover the 8 miles to Norbury Junction yesterday, but we found a good mooring spot when we arrived. Whilst I made the coffee, Wifey popped across to the Chandlery cum café for the paper. Later on we popped across there again, this time for oil and filter and an ice cream. When we find an out of the way spot, sometime next month, I’ll be diving down into the bowels of the engine bay and doing a small service.

Today we’ll spend an hour in the pub garden because, just like yesterday, it promises to be a real scorcher.

Monday 8th August

Well, yesterday didn’t turn out to be the scorcher I expected. In fact, it was pretty chilly sitting in the pub garden. But, at least it stayed dry.

This morning, after waiting for the papers to be delivered to the chandlery cum café, we’ll poodle off to Gnosall, which is only a mile or so distance. Tuesday morning we’ll take the bus into Stafford where, with a bit of luck, I’ll find the music shop and we’ll meet up with Alan and Chris.

Tuesday 9th August

Arrived at Gnosall at about 10 am and, after our usual, boring coffee, strolled along to the local shop for bread. We didn’t do much else for the rest of the day, other than Wifey giving the stern deck a good clean and we three taking a long walk in the afternoon.

Once upon a time, a railway ran through here and across the bridge, just behind where we are moored. The lines were removed quite some time ago and, in their place there’s designated cycle track. From the bridge the track runs roughly east to west and we turned eastwards, which took us down to the main road and into the village. Not wishing to pass the local shop without purchasing something, Wifey popped in for ice creams.

After that, we rested for the rest of the day.

This morning, as already mentioned, we’ll catch the 09.40 bus into Stafford and, providing Alan and Chris have finished their carpet laying, they’ll meet us there outside Sainsbury’s.

And that, my friends, is that for this blog.

Wishing you a very pleasant week to come.

All abreast from Dave, Sheila and Alex.